After a decade-long planning-law battle between travellers and Basildon council, the council have finally gained the legal power to evict the residents of an illegal site.
The travellers, many of whom own their land but do not have planning permission for their homes, will face evictions from midnight tonight (31 August).
But one traveller, 72-year-old Mary Flynn, is determined to fight the evictions by applying for an injunction through the High Court in order to stop the council evicting the 80 families living at Dale Farm.
Mrs Flynn is very ill, suffering from breathing problems, and needs to use an electric nebuliser to help her breathe. She is concerned that the council may switch off the electricity to the site, thereby putting her health at risk.
Another traveller, who has been a resident of Dale Farm for ten years, said: "If they come in with bulldozers we will put up a fight.
"All this will do is move us 50 yards down the road and it will be a huge waste of public money."
The travellers have the support of two local bishops and also actress Vanessa Redgrave. Ms Redgrave said: "The whole situation is really about planning; there's no crime that has been committed.
"Evicting these families would be totally unreasonable and irresponsible."
However, despite the support of the Oscar-winning actress, who is also a UN ambassador, Basildon council said that they intend to continue with their eviction plans. They have the backing of the Government since court process has now been exhausted.
The Department for Communities and Local Government said: "The British courts have found that the developments at Dale Farm are in breach of planning law and Basildon Council is within its rights to evict travellers from the site.
"It has taken 10 years of failed negotiations and legal process to reach this point and the unprecedented level of unauthorised development on green belt land has severely damaged community relations."
Supporters of the travellers are concerned that should the evictions go ahead, other councils may follow suit in the future.
Currently the situation does not look good for the travellers since local police are preparing for a major operation after 52 unauthorised plots on Dale Farm were served eviction notices.
Related links:
Read more on the story (BBC)
Read about traveller's rights (FindLaw)
Read about making a planning application (FindLaw)
Find local specialist solicitors throughout the UK (FindLaw)
